Softball Adds Mazzapica to Staff in Full-Time Role
8/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MACON, Ga. – Mercer University co-head softball coaches James and Stephanie DeFeo have announced that former Mercer graduate assistant, Kim Mazzapica, has been added to the staff in a full-time assistant coach role.
"Kim has been a big impact for our program not just on the field but also on the recruiting side," said Stephanie DeFeo. "She understands what our program needs in order to be successful when recruiting our next student-athlete. On the field, Kim has been able to elevate our pitching staff to another level since the first day she stepped on campus. We are very excited to add her as a full time assistant coach. She clearly understands and believes in the mission of Mercer University and within our softball program. Kim brings great passion and work ethic to our program and relates very well with the student-athletes that will allow us to continue our path to future success."
For the past two years, Mazzapica's work with the Mercer pitching staff has been impressive, helping develop Kirsten Stevens into the 2015 SoCon Pitcher of the Year. In 2015, Stevens broke Mercer's single-season win record and pitched the first no-hitter in both program history and SoCon Tournament history.
"I am so excited to continue my tenure with Mercer Softball," said Mazzapica. "We have developed a very special atmosphere here as a staff and I am honored to be able to continue to coach with the DeFeos. I am privileged to continue to learn from them and continue to set new standards for our program in the years to come."
During her tenure as Mercer's pitching coach, the Bears' team statistics have increased in total wins and pitching staff strikeouts. Additionally, the Orange and Black have improved statistics in the following categories: team ERA, number of hits allowed, runs scored against, earned runs, walks allowed, opponent's batting average and wild pitches.
Mazzapica has been an integral part of recruiting, developing relationships, and securing the commitments of top players, as well as pitchers for the 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 recruiting classes for Mercer Softball. This includes seven of the region's top pitchers and 23 of the nation's top academically oriented prospects in two full years of recruiting.
